Public Statements

Issue Position: Environment

Issue Position

Peter believes that conserving Vermont's patchwork legacy of working farms and forests represents a direct investment in our economic future and in the way of life we have inherited. Protecting our open lands is a solemn responsibility to our children and future generations of Vermonters. Making the move to a sustainable, local agricultural economy is the best investment we can make in our future.

Record

Climate Change. Peter returned to the Vermont Senate in 2006, driven in large part by his commitment to combating climate change. Since 2006 Peter has played a key leadership role in passing two climate change bills. Al Gore called one of these bills the toughest climate change bills in the country. Although Governor Douglas vetoed that bill, Peter remained committed to delivering on its critical investments in in-state renewable energy generation and energy efficiency.

Our Landscape. Peter has fought hard to protect our working landscape by repeatedly blocking Governor Douglas' attempts to cut funding for land conservation and by updating the Current Use program. He has also worked with legislators to develop important programs, such as the Farm to Plate and Farm to School programs.

The Future

As Governor, Peter would promote and invest in responsible renewable energy development by ensuring that our utilities and municipalities have the means to invest in our energy future. He would aggressively pursue a complete transition to sustainable energy sources with the goal of creating good paying jobs and making Vermont a national leader in the fight against climate change. He would build on Vermont's world-class energy efficiency programs, and make critical investments in our public transportation and bicycle transportation systems.

As Governor, Peter would work to fight sprawl development by maintaining and strengthening existing protections. He would continue to act as a tough advocate for effective programs such as Act 250 and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.

As Governor, Peter would set clear targets and benchmarks for measuring pollution, use smarter regulations and the best available technology to combat it, and establish practical buffer protection programs to restore the health of Lake Champlain and other key watersheds. On the national level, he would fight to shut down dirty coal and other polluting plants.